Bishop Mwita together with other 25 Bishops in their early years of the episcopal ministry from around the Anglican Communion have been attending a course on 'On Being A Bishop' at the Canterbury Cathedral Study Centre since 23 January 2012. Bishop Mwita says "this has been a valuable time for prayer, reflection and fellowship with other church leaders from a wider Anglican family. I feel refreshed and challenged, and thank God for the organizers, especially the course director Canon Ed Condry and the course administrator Cathi Martin." The conference is an annual program of the Canterbury Cathedral, England. Canterbury Cathedral is a unique and historic place, not least because the Archbishop of Canterbury has his seat or chair there. In this way, it connects the Archbishop of Canterbury and indeed the Church of England with the rest of the Anglican Communion. The conference ended on 31 January.
The Bishop of the Diocese of Wakefield, England, the Rt Rev Stephen Platten visited the Diocese of Tarime from 20-21 September 2011. The main purpose of the visit was to sign a partnership agreement, or the covenant, between the two dioceses in order to formalize the relationship with Wakefield that started in July 2010 after the subdivision of the old Diocese of Mara. Tarime inherited the relationship at both the diocesan level and parish to parish link. Bishop Stephen also planted a tree at Kemange parish church and spoke to some members of the congregation there. He also visited Mogabiri Farm Extension Centre some 10km to the east of Tarime. The Centre has benefited from a grant from an anonymous donor in Wakefield. Bishop Stephen was accompanied by Peta Moffat, the Tanzania-Wakefield Link Officer who will be retiring in April 2012, her appointed successor in waiting, Rev Stephen Spencer, and Bishop's Chaplain, Rev Philip Welch.
Compassion International (Tanzania), an international NGO working in Tanzania visited the Diocese of Tarime on 25 August 2011 to conduct a seminar on child ministry. "The country director, Mr Joseph Mayala led the seminar for clergy and over 120 members of parish councils (vestry) in the whole diocese. Senior diocesan leaders also attended the seminar.
Mr Mayala underscored the place of the child in the family, in the church, as well as in the community. He used both the Bible and the social context to emphasize the need for churches to initiate strong ministries that focus on the child in the family and in the church. He said it was not enough to teach children Bible lessons on Sunday, but that such teaching needed to be rooted in the daily family life, school life, and life of the community as a whole.
"Without a child who knows Christ today, and without giving priority to the needs of that child, we may not have a strong church and nation tomorrow" said Mr Mayala. He added, "the commitment to child ministry is not an option. So churches should be able to set apart a portion of funds in their annual budget for the development of the child spiritually, mentally, socially and economically".
The Diocesan Bishop, Dr Mwita Akiri gave the keynote address.
As was reported in July, Bishop Mwita visited New Zealand as guest of the Anglican Board of Missions and attended the Common Life Mission Conference, July 19-23 at Wakanae. At the conference, Bishop Mwita presented two seminars to two groups, and shared the mission of God in his new Diocese of Tarime.
After the conference, Bishop Mwita visited the Diocese of Wellington until August 2. He first visited St Andrew's Plimmerton where he preached on Sunday 24 July and spoke to a women's fellowship on July 28. Bishop Mwita also had a chance to visit the Anglican Centre in Wellington where he had a wonderful reception from Bishop Tom Brown and staff of the Diocese on July 25.
Thereafter, Bishop Mwita toured parts of Wellington city while staying with Archdeacon Ian and Margaret Bourne in Papakowhai, Porirua. Bishop Mwita left Papakowhai for Wanganui where he spoke to a group of Christians at All Saints, East Wanganui on July 28, and later visited St Stephen's, Marton. There he spoke to a group too. Before leaving Wanganui, Bishop Mwita was able to preach at Christ Church, Wanganui on Sunday 31 August.
A highlight of the visit was the encouraging response to the need for protecting children and pregnant women from malaria by providing treated bed nets which cost a minimum of $2-3 each. The initial phase of fundraising will go to purchasing and providing bed nets for the clergy families in the Diocese.
Bishop Mwita is indebted to the Anglican Mission Board who funded the visit, and many people and couples who looked after him before and after the conference. These include Simon and Jane Smelt of Wellington city, Archdeacon Ian and Margaret Bourne of Papakowhai, Alan and Rev Rosemary Anderson of Wanganui, and Mary and John Rowan (QC), also of Wanganui, among others. Bishop Mwita is also grateful to all the Vicars/Rectors of the parishes where he either preached or spoke.
Bishop Mwita left New Zealand on August 2. When he returned to Tarime, he gave the donated bed nets to pastors.
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